Heel-nail



(No Model.)

G. A.' CURTIS. HEEL NAIL.

No.- 502,550. Patented Aug. 1, 1893.

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UNITED STATES v PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. CURTIS, OF MALDEN, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES F. BAKER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS HEiEL-NAIL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,550, dated August 1, 1893. Application filed May 31. I893. Serial No. 476.048. (No model.)

To all whom it may cmcern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A.CURTIS, of Malden, (Wellington), in the county of Middlcsex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Nails, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in nails for fastening on heels of boots and shoes. The desideratum is to produce a nail which can be driven straight through the leather Without a previously-prepared hole, which can be clinched so as not to project above the sole or injure the stock, which will securely bind the heel-lifts together and to the sole, and which will also hold a blind toplift. Numerous fastenings have been devised to fill the requirements, but in none of them are combined all the qualities above-named. The most satisfactory form of nail for. securing a blind top-lift has been found to be that known as the collar-nail, which is formed with a collar at a point intermediate of its ends and adapted to come against theheellift next the top one, leavinga projecting end of the nail to receive the top-lift. Collarnails have been constructed with points to clinch over the sole and thereby bind the sole and heel-lifts between the clinched portion and the collar, but, in using all of these nails, a hole must first be made to receive them. A further objection is that the clinched end projects above the sole and causes discomfort to the wearer of the shoe, or is forced into the stock in a manner to injure the same. For these reasons collar-nails, although affording the best means for securing on a blind toplift, have not been found altogether satisfactory.

It is the purpose of the present invention to produce a collar-nail which can be driven without first providing a hole to receive it, and which can be clinched without projecting above the sole, and without injury to the stock; and also to provide an improved construction at the top end of the nail, whereby the top-lift may be more securely held. By combining in a nail these advantages and those of the collar construction, aperfect construction is arrived at..

The only form of point which will enable a nail to be successfully driven without a previously-formed hole to receive it, is the awl-shaped point, which not only possesses this advantage, but also that of re-entering the leather, when clinched, so as to be embedded in the same in such a manner as not to project and not to injure the stock. In carrying out my invention, therefore, I provide a collar-nail with an awl-shaped point, and thereby combine in one nail all the advantages possessed severally by its predecessors.

I am aware that a shoe-nail has heretofore been provided with an awl-shaped point,but this feature alone is not productive of a perfeet heel-fastening. I believe it to be new with me to combine in one nail the collar construction possessing advantages for attaching a blind top-lift, and the awl-shaped point making the use of the collar-nail practicable.

Of the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate the invention: Figure 1 shows one View of the nail. Fig. 2 shows another view of the nail. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a heel and sole, with my improved form of nail applied thereto.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The nail comprises a round portion a, to be driven through the heel-lifts b and sole 0, and corrugated on two opposite sides, as at d; a collar a to come against the heel-lift next the blind top-lift; a round portion a shorter than the first-named portion, and on the opposite side of the collar, and adapted to receive the top-lift when the latter is spanked on, and an awl-shaped point a which is clinched over the sole. 4

This nail, by reason of the awl-shaped point, can be driven in without having a hole previously prepared for it, its extremity being flat and sharp; and the point having a width at no part greater than the thickness of the nail, it does not make an opening any larger than necessary, and hence the nail can take a firm hold in the leather. When the nail is driven through, it may be readily clinched over the sole, and its point will reenter the same and become embedded therein. Thus the heel-lifts and sole are tightly clamped between the collar and the clinchedover point, and at the same time said point does not project above the sole or injure the stock by its entrance into the sole, for it is embedded point first, and readily re-enters. The top-lift is spanked on the projecting end, in the usualmanner.

In the formation of the nail, the top end a is provided with laterally-projecting spurs a, inclined on the under side and brought to a point. The webs which form these spurs continue to the collar a, as shown at a and taper outward, their outer edges merging into the periphery of the collar. These portions (1 back up the collar, and prevent it from being broken off. The top end of the nail is pointed, as shown at a, to facilitate its entrance into the leather of the top-lift. When the top-lift is spanked on, it is forced past the spurs a and their points facilitate the passage. The leather of the top-lift takes under the spurs, and said lift is thereby more securely held on.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a nail for fastening heels, having a collar intermediate of its ends and an awl-shaped polnt, substantially as described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a collar-nail having a round part above the collar and beyond which the latter pro ects on all sides, and pointed spurs projectlng from opposite sides of said round part.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 27th day of May, A. D. 1893.

GEO. A. CURTIS.

Witnesses:

F. PARKER DAVIS, ARTHUR W. CROSSLEY. 

